Authors Note: So this Chapter was supposed to contain more plot and less fluff, but my brain was still stuck in fluff mode from the last Chapter so what can I say? There will be more plot in the next Chapter (shrugs). Thank-you very much for your kind comments and votes on the previous Chapters since I have begun updating again. It is lovely to read your reactions to certain parts and see my feelings mirrored in your opinions as well! My apologies that this is a little short, I wanted to get it up on time. The next one should be longer. 

Much Love,
Daisy xo

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Chapter 30 | Selfish

*

'Aren't you afraid of darkness, my Dear?'
Hades asked with mischief in his eyes. '
No," Persephone replied, 'you haven't even seen mine yet.'
-k f g (via)

*

OBSIDIAN

He monopolised her attention for the rest of the day.

With her resting against his chest, he made no suggestion that they had any reason to move, allowing her to lounge in the hot pools until her fingers had become wrinkled and plump and her skin smooth with exfoliation. He carded his fingers through her hair rhythmically, barley aware of doing so, the golden strands slipping through his grasp like soft silk underwater and felt her sigh at the action. The steady beating of her heart that he felt under his other hand, placed on her stomach, lulled him into a meditative trance where her presence was all encompassing.

It was not often that he let himself relax in such a way, but more recently he had found that his burdens were becoming easier to share, that he was finding it easier to let others walk beside him to carry the load. Perhaps it was the presence of Zarska that allowed him this comfort now, the knowledge that even if things were to go wrong, he had the power to set it right again in an instant. Obsidian was, by no means, being arrogant. He had battled the best there was and seen where he stood in comparison. He was merely confident now that he could protect those who were most important to him, without having to stand at the wheel at all times.
He would not become complacent; however, he could allow himself this.

This being the heavenly creature in front of him that languidly stretched, rousing herself from her stupor and made a sound to suggest she was ready to leave the baths. Disrupting her only to stand, he scooped her up in his embrace, his arms keeping her warm as he waded back through the water. Entering the change rooms, he proceeded to wrap her up in fluffy white towels, one for her delectable body, soft and pliant from the heat, the other for her hair. Towelling himself quickly he offered her his assistance with the latter, her sluggish movements and injured shoulder making it awkward for her to dry and wrap the mass of golden tresses.

Hugging her to him and pressing a swift kiss to her forehead he shrugged on his robe and requested she wait for him while he went outside to tell Samson he was free to leave. Obsidian ignored the poorly disguised relief on the other Pirate's face and instead wryly suggested that perhaps the bar would be open as it was nearing midday.

"Aye, that it might Captain," Samson grumbled as he lumbered off through the snow, his grousing leaving an unintelligible trail in his wake.

Obsidian watched him until he was gone from sight, before quickly ducking back into the changing rooms to collect his Kitten. She had changed into a robe as well, white socks primly covering her feet, a towel wrapped securely around her head. She indulged him as he picked her up once again, her arms wrapping around his neck as he carried her back to their room swiftly, pausing once en route to pull another kiss from her lips, his patience non-existent.

Upon reaching their room he shut them quickly inside, choosing to slip between the covers alongside her with her, over having her leave his embrace. She laughed at him for it, but her smile was fond.

"Are we staying in all day then?" she asked teasingly, and he pulled her closer, nuzzling into her neck where damp curls still stuck to her skin, escaping from her towel.

"You don't have anywhere else to be," he murmured into her ear, "and neither do I. So just stay with me." His words were a little needier than was usual but if she was surprised, she did not show it, merely humming an amicable reply. So, he relaxed even further into her body, her fingers coming up to push through his hair, nails raking gently against his scalp. He could not help the small sound of pleasure that escaped his throat as he pushed his head further into her hands, her fingers firmly increasing in pressure.

Catching one hand he pressed a lingering kiss into the centre of her palm. Her fingers curled slightly at the tips, brushing his forehead tenderly. He moved her hand so that it cupped the side of his face and couldn't help but press another kiss into it. "You should dry your hair," he whispered vaguely, his eyes burning into hers.

Holding his gaze, she made a small noise of agreement but made no effort to move, seemingly as transfixed by him as he was by her. Eventually though he slowly withdrew, taking the towel that was wrapped neatly around her head with him, allowing the glossy, damp curls to tumble free down her back and over her shoulder. Rising to his knees and gathering the towel up in his hands he pressed the material back into her scalp, his fingers massaging firmly as he re-dried her hair.

She let out a sigh and leant back into him as he increased the pressure minutely. She had almost fallen asleep again by the time he was finished, and he shifted her gently so that he could rise and source her comb and a small bottle of rose scented hair oil that he knew Lacy had purchased for her from a passing market. Settling back into his position, he arranged her to lounge across his lap languorously, her head resting on his shoulder, one knee coming up to support her back.
He lifted her hair out from under her head and proceeded to comb through the length, slowly taking her apart under his hands, the golden curls softening immeasurably.
He was thorough and was not content until all knots had faded from existence, leaving no resistance behind. His fingers then proceeded to work oil back through, massaging from the ends to the base of her scalp, until her hair shone gold, falling like spilled paint over the bed and her eyelashes lay closed upon her cheeks, her mouth slightly open as she breathed slowly with sleep.

Leaning down, Obsidian let out a gentle sigh as he nosed along her jaw, leaving gentle kisses on her skin as he tried not to think about the issues outside of this room that would soon call to him, demanding his attention. In this small, secluded room perhaps he could be allowed to ignore such annoyances for just a little longer? For as soon as he left this safe haven, he would be stepping into he-didn't-even-know-what and he had a sinking feeling in his gut that once he acknowledged this issue, there wasn't going to be a quick solution.

A sigh escaped him again and he wondered why the world couldn't simply just leave them be. He buried his face in her neck and breathed deeply, speculating how long she would allow him to keep her occupied before she noticed his completely self-indulgent attempt to side-track her and complained. He tried valiantly not to smirk as he imagined how she might reprimand him, picturing the pretty expression she would wear. His Kitten was simply adorable when she was being fierce. Pulling back, he picked up one delicate hand and he kissed her fingers. He would have to start thinking of how he might reply now, least she cotton on and realise he enjoyed it. She might stop then and that, he thought resolutely, would be no fun at all.

*

COBALT 

Cobalt was currently in charge of guarding that which Obsidian was trying to distract Circe's attention from, 'that' being Jhaer. The silver eyed Pirate had not moved from the barrel on which he sat since his brother had paid the assassin a visit in the early hours of the morning, but he shifted slightly now as he watched the woman in the cell across from him suddenly gasp herself back into the land of the living. Her eyes were wild as she stared about her person as though she had forgotten where she was, her breathing erratic.

Well the last thing she probably remembered was Obsidian's terrifying expression as he had bore down on her, so Cobalt supposed her couldn't fault her loss of face this one time.

"You're awake," he uttered smoothly, uncrossing and re-crossing his ankles, his arms coming up to rest on the wall behind his head, exuding an air of casual arrogance.

Her attention jumped jerkily towards him and he did not miss her flinch as she momentarily mistook him for Obsidian. Upon realising an instant later that this was not the case, her eyes flickered skittishly around the rest of the room as though fearful his brother would appear unexpectedly from the shadows.

"He's not here," Cobalt allowed. If he had been a less merciful person, he would have let her paranoia stew, but as it were, he was not feeling as angry as he thought he would be. Jhaer had yet to confess to anything, but from Nathaniel's recount it did indeed sound as though she was working for someone and after Anthemin had added his opinion about the location, well ... it just seemed too coincidental not to be connected back to that absolute rat of a Princess, Aranel. If this speculation had any truth to it, then Cobalt could perhaps forgive Jhaer for a small part of her transgressions. She was, after all, only human. And there was truly not much a human could do when faced with creatures of myth and legend, especially if she was unlucky enough to be under the control of one such as Aranel.

Aranel.

Her face burned vividly in Cobalt's mind. If there was a face and a name he would never forget, it was those that belonged to his enemies. You would have to be stupid not to remember the people on your 'kill-if-you-ever-get-the-chance' list and Aranel was only one place below that absolute sack of shit Zalas, in Cobalt's book. Even thinking about them now made Cobalt's expression darken unexpectedly.

"Where is he?"

Jhaer's sudden question broke through his musings and it took him a moment to realise who she was referring to.

"Who?"

"Obsidian," she spat out.

Cobalt smirked and folded his arms across his chest. "What, am I not good enough for you?" he asked casually, purposefully avoiding her question just because he knew it would piss her off. He knew this woman too well after all, she had sailed on their ship for some time.

She threw him a filthy look that he returned gladly.

"When is he coming back?"

Cobalt shrugged, "How should I know," he replied nonchalantly, "and anyway, you should be less concerned about his whereabouts and more concerned with your current situation."

"It's be cause of my current situation that I am concerned about his whereabouts you idiot," she hissed at him, her eyes flashing as she glared at him, although the effect was lessened slightly when paired with the current state she was in.

Unimpressed, Cobalt leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees, his hands clasping loosely together. He levelled her with his gaze and held it for an uncomfortable amount of time. If this was the normal Jhaer, this would have absolutely no effect on her, but the current Jhaer had become slightly undone since he had seen her yesterday. As she twitched under his stare, he took another good look at her.

She was breathing raggedly and her left side seemed to be causing her some discomfort. Probably a broken rib. A cut on her forehead was oozing a steady trickle of blood down the side of her face and one of her shoulders seemed to have been dragged across a stone floor, scrapes showing through the ruined cloth of her shirt. Cobalt vaguely remembered Anthemin mentioning something about a rough landing, but the Dragon wasn't big on details.
Some of the more generic bumps and bruises, could be attributed to Obsidian roughing her up, but to be fair, Cobalt knew he had held back a lot. Considering that Jhaer had not cracked in the slightest under his questioning, something Cobalt knew had frustrated his brother immensely, he had been surprised at how quickly Obsidian had backed off, settling with merely knocking the assassin back out (to make a point) before ordering Cobalt to keep watch and taking his leave, with a promise to return.

Putting these injuries aside, what had actually caught Cobalt's interest most of all, were the more ... familiar injuries that decorated Jhaer's body. In particular, the wound located above her heart that had long since bled through the dirty white bandage concealing it, as well as the half-unbuttoned shirt thrown haphazardly over the top. Five darker patches amongst the sea of red stained cloth betrayed the source of the blood flow and Cobalt found himself amused with a memory of his brother sporting a similar injury after being taken unawares by a certain golden-haired siren.

Cobalt chuckled. Circe, not Obsidian was surely the one responsible for the flame of anxiety that now danced in Jhaer's eyes. The Princess had certainly done a good job of scaring the crap out the assassin and he could not help the smugly proud smirk that crept onto his face. What he would have done to witness that fight.
Finally he spoke, his words knowingly taunting. "Are you sure you're being concerned about the right person?"

Jhaer's eyes flickered to meet his as she paused, like a startled deer. She licked her lips quickly.

"What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean," came the easy reply.

Jhaer glanced away and then back, "I'm not scared of her," she said resolutely, "she is just a spoilt Princess who got lucky. If I had known, that she possessed other powers then I would have-"

"Would have what?" Cobalt interrupted contemplatively, his voice carrying a dangerous undercurrent, silver eyes narrowing into slits. "Be very careful about what you say next. That 'spoilt Princess' is worth more than you can even begin to comprehend." He stared at her musingly, "She got the better of you and I know you well enough to see that you're shaken. If she hadn't shown you mercy, you would be dead. It's that simple."

They were silent for a moment before Cobalt continued, "If you knew," he whispered softly, "about even an inch of her true worth, you would realise you should be scared. The side you're on, it's the losing side. Being scared would be the smart option."

The Pirate and the Assassin stared at each other, at an impasse.

"Your words don't change anything," Jhaer finally repeated, mulishly, "and you're wrong. I'm not scared of her," but it was she who looked away first, focusing her gaze on the opposite wall.

Cobalt sneered. "Say it enough and it might come true," he quipped, and she twitched but did not turn to face him again.

"Cobalt, I'm here," Hobson's voice reached the Pirates ears a second before the old man came into view, choosing to lean against the door frame rather than properly enter the room. Hobbson's gaze swept over Jhaer's form, resolutely facing the wall before settling on Cobalt. He jerked a thumb over his shoulder, "you should take a break, its already midday. I'll wait here, the rest of them are back at The Lotus."

Cobalt rose stiffly to his feet, stretching out his limbs. "That would be good," he agreed, "I could use some food. Any word from my brother?"

Hobbson's lips twitched into a grin, "Samson seems to feel that the Captain won't be joining us today."

Cobalt snorted, patting the old man on his shoulder as he slid past him. "That's typical, he is so selfish. Are you sure you'll be alright here alone? I can send some more of the boys down,"

"No need," Hobbson waved him off dismissively, "Jacob is up there, and Samson said he'll be down once he's eaten to swap with him. Between the two of us we will be fine."

"It might be an idea to send some of the crew back to the ship though," Cobalt mused quietly, keeping his voice low, aware of Jhaer sitting quiet, but no doubt alert, only a few feet away, "If things are going to start moving again, it would be best to be prepared ..."

"Do what you will lad," Hobbson replied, "after you've eaten. Nathaniel and Leonardo are both back there, go and confer with them."

Cobalt brightened, "Nathaniel is awake again?"

"Yes," Hobbson confirmed, "he's rather in his head. It would be good for him to discuss the next course of action."

"Alright then," Cobalt said decisively, "I'll see you soon." He glanced sparingly in Jhaer's direction, "I doubt you'll get anything out of her, but you could always try."

Hobbson chuckled darkly, "This old man has a few tricks up his sleeve, don't you worry about that."

*

Going with his gut, upon his return to the Inn Cobalt sent five of the crew back the way he had come before chancing a knock on his brothers' door. The barely inaudible growl that had resonated from beyond confirmed Samson's story. Obsidian was not to be disturbed unless the world was collapsing around them in burning hellfire. And maybe not even then. Cobalt couldn't help but chuckle at his selfishness. What a bastard.

The reception waiting for him at the bar was much more welcoming and he slid into a seat with a soft groan of relief, gratefully accepting the pint of beer Leonardo slid across the table toward him.

The other man raised an eyebrow at him, "How did it go?"

Cobalt groaned again, rubbing at his face tiredly, "Not a damn peep. Not yet at least. Bones went easy on her; seems to think she'll give after she's had some time to think things through."

Leonardo sipped his own beverage thoughtfully, "Will she?"

Cobalt grimaced, "If she knows what's good for her. Jhaer was on our crew long enough to know how Bones likes to deal with people in her position. She will know what's coming."

Leo gave a mild noise of agreement before jerking his head in the direction of the slumped figure that sat between them, his hands in his blonde hair.

Taking the hint, Cobalt leaned over and slapped Nathaniel cheerfully on the back, "Alright there? Good to see you up. Have you eaten?"

Nathaniel jerked upright like he had been branded with a red-hot iron and stared wildly around for a moment before slouching back into his chair. There were dark circles under his eyes and the smile he attempted to force out for Cobalt's benefit looked as though it was choking him.

Cobalt laughed, "Don't force yourself for my sake," he chuckled, "you look like shit."

The smile had dropped from his face quicker than Cobalt could blink, leaving the normally upbeat man looking downtrodden and haggard. He watched as Nathaniel swallowed thickly, words seeming to elude him.

"Is it about your brother?" Cobalt guessed. It wasn't that hard to see what was bothering the blonde currently. Although Circe and Nathaniel had previously preferred to keep the information close to themselves, Cobalt was aware enough to know that it had always been in the back of Circe's mind at least, ever since she had found out. And he had caught Nathaniel looking between Obsidian and himself a sufficient amount of times to confidently say that the existence of his own twin had never been far from Nathaniel's thoughts either.

"Yes," Nathaniel finally managed to croak out. Leonardo magically produced another pitcher of beer from somewhere and refilled his glass. The brew was cold and immediately caused condensation to form around the outside of the vessel. Reaching forward, Nathaniel swiped at a drip that was running down the side before taking a grateful sip and when he spoke again, his voice was a little stronger. "I had spoken with Circe about potentially looking for him, but I never thought- I never imagined that-"

"That you would find such an unexpected lead," Cobalt finished, and Nathaniel nodded tiredly, running a hand through his curls. The colour, so close to Circe's own caused Cobalt to think unwittingly of the girl and how heartbroken she would be to see her brother so distraught.

Cobalt and Nathaniel had gone through the pain of losing people important to them at the same time and although there was no blood relation between them, in the months that they had spent together, searching for that which they had lost, a sense of brotherly comradery had been forged from the pain. Now in the absence of Circe, Cobalt had no qualms about reaching out in her place to placate the younger man's worries.

"Isn't it a good thing though?" He remarked mildly as he drank his beer.

Nathaniel let out a pained chuckled, "How do you figure that?"

"Well," Cobalt continued, "It isn't as though we don't have a lead to go on. Jhaer, the person who apparently knows your brother's location, is currently in our hands. The destination she appeared to be taking you to is one that is not very far out of reach." Cobalt tapped his chin with his glass thoughtfully before taking another long swig, "It could perhaps be assumed that your brother was in fact going to be at the location she was planning to take you to ..." Cobalt shrugged, downing the rest of his drink, "and even if he isn't who's to say she wont spit out the coordinates once Bones is done with her?" He eyed Nathaniel challengingly then, "You're a Captain, aren't you? You have a ship? No-one is stopping you from sailing there and finding out for yourself."

"He does have a point," Leonardo pointed out calmly, "although the lead came out of the blue, any news of your brother would have been unexpected, regardless of circumstance. Not even your Mother was able to provide any information."

Cobalt remembered the brief discussion Nathaniel had had with Queen Evangeline and the dismayed expression he had tried and failed to hide upon hearing she had no knowledge of the circumstance's that had befallen his mysterious brother.

"You're in the best position you could be to deal with this now," Cobalt heartened, "depending on how things connect, we could even be taking out two birds with one stone." He was of course, referring to the devil incarnate that was Aranel.

"I suppose you're right," Nathaniel replied slowly, and Cobalt smiled at him encouragingly, nudging the other Captains still full beverage towards him.

"Have another drink, you'll feel better."

Nathaniel let out a weak chuckle but complied regardless. Cheerfully Cobalt called over the waiter to order them some food and by the time they had eaten a genuine smile was lingering at the corners of Nathaniel's lips and the bags under his eyes had lightened considerably. Lacy appeared sometime around mid-afternoon and the mood lifted further with her presence; she had brought a pack of cards with her and insisted on challenging Cobalt to poker, despite the fact she had consecutively lost the last twenty-six games they had played, (Leonardo kept a tally in the back of the ships logbook).

As the lazy afternoon slipped into evening, the mood at the bar mellowed, good company, a roaring fire, food, alcohol,l and a bartender happy to let the crew of the notorious Pirate King lounge as long as they tipped well, causing Cobalt to let Jhaer and the thoughts surrounding her to slip from his head completely. It was only when Lacy was on the cusp of losing her thirty-ninth game and the door to the bar was opened, that he remembered, his previous concerns returning with the presence of the golden haired, blue eyed beauty that stood framed in the doorway, the snow from outside swirling viciously in behind her.

He was on his feet before he had even realised his own actions, "Circe."

Her previously tense expression melted into a smile as she met his eyes, and he suddenly became unable to ask her what had put such a look on her face in the first place, his words changing to ones of different concern as she approached him.

"How are you feeling?"

"Better," she asserted.

"You should still be in bed." The door snapped shut in her wake and the darkness that she had let in from outside took the form of his brother. Obsidian lingered behind her looking extremely displeased, presumably about Circe's present location.

Which was currently encircled in Cobalt's arms as he hugged her carefully, conscious of her shoulder which he knew, beneath her coat, to be wrapped and bandaged. Lacy had brought them all up to speed.

She returned his embrace, pulling away only to great the others and Cobalt turned as he watched her, his brother moving to stand beside him, arms folded tightly across his chest as though restraining himself.

"Did she wake up?" He asked abruptly, his voice low.

Cobalt glanced at him quickly, but the golden eyes were trained on the girl that was currently speaking obvious words of comfort to her brother, whose face had finally lost all remaining traces of unease upon her arrival.

"Yes," He replied curtly. "She didn't say anything else though. I left Hobbson with her. Samson joined him some time ago, as did five of the crew. With her aboard, it felt wrong to leave guarding the ship to two people, even it is those two."

Obsidian gave a quick, jerky nod. "Good. Better safe than sorry." He paused for a moment before speaking again and this time there was something off about his tone. "She wants to speak to her."

Cobalt looked sideways again in alarm, "Who?" he asked. Upon noticing his brothers still firm gaze he exclaimed in surprise. "Circe wants to?"

His brother gave a grunt of agreement. "Yes."

Studying his brother, Cobalt found an emotion he had not anticipated, present in Obsidians gaze and one of his eyebrows quirked upwards in astonishment, "You're going to let her?" he asked in disbelief.

When he didn't receive a reply, Cobalt turned fully to face his brother and resisted the urge to do a double take. Bemused. That was the emotion he saw, dominating his brothers face. Obsidian Bones looked bemused.

"Are you alright?" He asked, genuinely concerned.

Obsidian shot him a filthy look that somehow did not mesh coherently with the still bemused expression he wore. "Don't be thick." He retorted.

"Don't tell me you're actually going to let her?"

"She wants to be the one to question her and I can't seem to think of a reason why she shouldn't," he said, still looking slightly nonplussed. "She was the one who caught her after all," he let out a huff that Cobalt could have sworn was almost a laugh, "technically she is Circe's prisoner, and," he added thoughtfully, a more familiar expression creeping back onto his face, one that made Cobalt groan in exasperation as the motive behind his brothers actions suddenly revealed itself, "I want to see it. Her, questioning Jhaer I mean. I want to see what she will do, how she will handle it."

Cobalt was about to reply when Circe suddenly glanced back in their direction and the scowl was back in place on Obsidians face faster than Cobalt could call masochist.

"If you tell her I said that, I'll kill you." His deviant brother muttered, before turning his back on the group and sauntering off towards the bar.

Cobalt swore he was going to get whiplash from having to deal with these mood swings one of these days. He tried not too look too exasperated as he re-joined the group, sliding back down into his original seat. Attempting to recover his previously uncomplicated and rather relaxed frame of mind he picked up his abandoned hand of cards and proceeded to beat Lacy at their thirty ninth game, causing the younger girl to slam her cards crossly down on the table and declare that he play her again, immediately.

"I'll play," The smooth voice was unexpected, as was the body that slid himself into the wide armchair Circe had claimed, pulling her comfortably onto his lap with little effort.

Circe's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she valiantly struggled out from his hold, (he let her go far too easily,) and settled down beside him instead. Obsidian looked at her blankly before deftly claiming her legs, pulling them up to rest across his knees, his arms trapping them securely, dampening any and all attempts at escape.

Cobalt resisted the urge to snort into the beer he was currently drinking at this blatant display of childishness, his earlier thoughts concerning whiplash and bipolar brothers floating to the forefront of his mind once again. In an attempt to dispel the slightly awkward mood that settled across the group and save Circe some face, Cobalt cleared his throat and suggested that perhaps they should play a different game instead.

From across the table, his brother cocked an eyebrow, his face unchanging, seemingly oblivious to the mood he had created. "Scared you'll lose?"

The silence that had been dispelled only a moment before returned in full force and Cobalt felt the eyes upon them, even as he held Obsidian's gaze.

"No," he retorted, a little too defensively.

"Then why don't you stop pretending it's a victory to win against a child and play me?"

Cobalt vaguely heard Lacy huff at being referred to as a child but he couldn't bring himself to care. He had already begun dealing the cards.

Unfortunately for Cobalt, he had lost the moment he accepted the challenge. Fortunately, his ego was somewhat prepared. Obsidian was unparalleled when it came to cards, a fact not many people knew. Lacy's thirty-nine losses paled in comparison to Cobalt's over a decade and a half of miserably wallowing in self-pity at his own incapability to beat his brother, even once at a card game.

While to everyone else, Obsidian's face remained perfectly blank, Cobalt could feel the smugness radiating off him from across the table, growing increasingly thicker by the second. Finally, he threw his cards down in defeat, trying to ignore the cries of mirth echoing from Lacy and the not so subtle sniggering emitting from Nathaniel beside him. Mercifully, Leonardo had turned his face away out of sympathy. Sympathy be damned, Cobalt could see his shoulder's shaking as the normally quiet man repressed his laughter.

"I win," Obsidian stated smugly.

"Yes, I can see that," Cobalt retorted.

Circe snickered and Cobalt gave her a piteous look, "Oh not you too," he pleaded.

She laughed openly at him, her smile unrestrained, her humour not unkind. The others seemed to find themselves unable to hold back any longer also, the table breaking out into unbound hilarity at his expense. Cobalt attempted to scowl but eventually found himself smiling in amusement as well, silver eyes finding gold as he met his brothers gaze.

The contentment he found there was just as unexpected as the other emotions he had seen his brother display that evening, but it was this one that eased Cobalt's mind, allowing him to set aside his worries for the time being, however short their respite might be. If his brother was not immediately concerned, then Cobalt could allow himself some selfishness too and simply enjoy the peace while it lasted.

*